Freeway Declares Black Thought The Most Underrated Emcee

Freeway names Black Thought and others as the most slept-on emcees in the game.

Philadelphia emcee Freeway stunned fans last year with his critically acclaimed fourth solo album Diamond In the Ruff. Now, in a recent exclusive via SOHH, the "Flipside" spitter weighs in on the most underrated artists in Hip Hop.

Philly Freezer explained that he believes The Roots frontman Black Thought is one of the most slept-on lyricists in Hip Hop, along with Common and Mos Def. Freeway added that he feels like these artists - as well as Nas and the G.O.O.D. Music roster - are helping usher in a new era of lyrically-inspired Hip Hop.

"As far as other people, definitely Black Thought [is underrated]. He's a monster," he said. "Everything that he's put out is quality. Everything that he puts out is quality. Common is another one that's crazy with the lyrics. Mos Def is another artist that's definitely slept-on that's got a lot of positive messages and lyrics and flow patterns in his music. There's a lot of us out here in the music."

He continued, "I feel like Hip Hop is coming back around with releasing the Nas Life Is Good album and then the Nas...and Scarface record that came out [DJ Khaled's "Hip Hop"], then you have people like G.O.O.D. Music where Common and Kanye West are bringing real Hip Hop to the table."

truth

Anonymous

MalcolmLittle

K-Rino, the realest emcee you never heard of...and I ain't talkin "real" as in that bullshit image of realness that niggas like to buy into, if you got your head twisted on right you'll feel what I mean. Anyway...fam got 25-30 years in the game, around 25 albums, and will make your fuckin head pop off with some of his song topics. Not that I disagree with Free at all though cuz Black Thought's that nigga without a question and should def. get more props than he does, just thought I'd toss another name in the hat real quick that not as many people are up on.

Anonymous

Friends, Romans, countrymen lend me yo' eardrums
It was a beautiful day off in the neighborhood
Yellows and greens and blues and browns
and greys and hues that ooze beneath dilapidated woods
Ain't a thing could explain what pertains
to cocaine it's a stain that rain
See summer roll around niggaz holla bout change
Then they steady move them ki's like Bob James
Cause old man winter's arrived, the temperature dives
November just died, December's alive
Thus it ain't no typical ride
Just individual's way to bring home
the bacon when bacon was all gone
Makin it our own, takin me all wrong
We've all indulged in the bulge of those no-no's
No you ain't solo, it's even lower levels you can go
Take sun people, put 'em in a land of snow

Anonymous

Milehighkid303

Black Thought is the only reason I check for the Roots....completely agree with the comment below they are in THIER OWN LANE and the shit works.....Black Thought has bars for days and paints unreal pictures through the words.

Anonymous

Anonymous

Black Thought making that Jimmy Fallon money by the week. But I've seen Tariq have lyrical blackouts so many times you can't ever say he's wack, the Roots alone is a whole different lane of their own, and it's working. Way outside the box for these basic ass rap fans.

SCHWARZ

nuc

Anonymous

Nas and Rakim are not underrated. Everyone mentions those dudes
Mos Def and Brother Ali are dope, but are not up there with the best.
Lupe Fiasco is a wack whiny crybaby... one of the most overrated.
Ghostface Killah - now he's underrated.

Shimon tha Guru

I can bet that the Hip-Hop World is on Black Thought and have been for some time now. The height of popularity of our favorite most known unknowns is only determined by the industry suits. If Black Thought actually went solo, I think he would be in the same boat as he's in now, as the same musically for Common and Yasiin Bey(Mosdef)among many others. The best thing The Roots did compared to ANY other group or artist recognized by the hardcore hip-hop world is entering into the Late Night TV scene. JF is arguably the most popular show on late night and essentially this "underground" legendary group is only increasing the views among the demographic who's always been behind them and few whom never heard of prior. I personally think none of our favorite artists will ever gain the radio popularity as some of the lucky lyricists such as Lupe, J.Cole and Kendrick. But times are a changing once again in the industry and I think the majority is looking for this type of thing. Lets cross our fingers and hope it changes for real.
- ONE